As part of the Transitions project, we are excited to open a brand new professional development micro fund. Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, this is the first ever dedicated fund to support the development of Welsh circus practitioners. It is designed to offer flexible and targeted financial support to cover the direct costs that other larger funds can’t.

We have tried to keep it simple and fast, there is a short form for you to fill in and send back before the deadline, and we will endeavour to let you know within just 2 weeks. The first-round deadline is the 1st of October, so get cracking!

The micro fund rundown

How much can you apply for?

We will consider requests for between £10 - £250.

Who can apply?

Anyone who defines themselves as a professional working in circus with a strong connection to Wales. The link to Wales is key, this can mean you live in Wales, you train or study here, you recently attended a youth circus in Wales or you work in Wales.

What can you apply for?

To support the costs of any activity which will further your personal professional development in circus, such as:

Travel and training course fees

Attendance at networking events and conferences

Space rental for R&D or creative collaborators fees

Support to see inspiring work or companies

We will consider supporting other types of activity, providing you can explain effectively how it is important to your future professional development. The most important thing is we want the money we award to make a difference to you and your career.

What we don’t fund:

Promotional materials (film, photo shoots, design or marketing)

Any capital equipment

Retrospective costs (things that have already been spent)

What will we expect from you?

We have tried to keep this a simple as possible and ask that you do a few things in return for the funding. Firstly, and quite simply that you spend any money awarded on the activity agreed in your application. Secondly that you share some of your experience through a social media channel of your choice using the #transitions hashtag and tagging NoFit State Circus. This is to help promote the fund and encourage other people to apply in future rounds.

So, if you have an idea you want to develop, a course or event you have always wanted to attend or even a company you want to watch and be inspired by then consider putting in an application to the micro fund.

If you have any questions that aren’t covered in the guidelines then get touch with bethan at nofitstate.org and we look forward to seeing your application before the 12 noon on the 1st of Oct.